LIVE NEWS and UPDATES

21:07 (IST)

Election Voting Latest Updates

Voter turnout till 7 pm

21:01 (IST)

Assam Election Voting Latest Updates

Dhuburi, Kokrajhar and Barpeta to decide fate of immigrant Muslims in Assam

Three constituencies out of four in Assam, in which polls were held on Tuesday are likely to determine the fate of immigrant Muslim politics in the frontier state. Dhuburi, Kokrajhar and Barpeta constituencies elected non-BJP candidates even amidst Modi wave in 2014. The saffron party along with it's allies are trying to unseat the sitting MPs of these constituencies.

Interestingly, Dhuburi elected Maulana Badaruddin Ajmal, the president of All India United Democratic Front and also the pioneer of immigrant Muslim politics in the year 2014. The BJP supported Asom Gana Parishad candidate Javed Islam, who is an Assamese Muslim in attempt to replace Ajmal in this election. The constituency has a sizeable Assamese Muslim population known as Ujaani Muslims. The Ujaani Muslims, who strive to assert their Assamese identity are likely to play a significant role in this election.

The Congress too has fielded an Ujaani Muslim Abu Taher Bepari as its candidate in Dhuburi. Though Islam and Bepari would share the Ujaani Muslim votes, Badaruddin is likely to focus on the immigrant Muslim votes alone. If Ajmal succeeds in drawing most of the immigrant Muslim votes, being an immigrant Muslim himself he is likely to win. But the BJP and its ally Asom Gana Parishad is focusing to polarise Ujaani Muslim votes by assuring them to protect their unique identity.

In this case, the BJP-AGP alliance candidate may end up winning if majority of Assamese Muslims caste their votes in favour of him. And if Ajmal loses the election, his party AIUDF is likely to face existential crisis. For his party, formed in the year 2005, has never been in power and if he himself loses this time around he will no longer remain the 'go to' man for the immigrant Muslims.

On the other hand, the 2012 Kokrajhar riots had tremendous bearing on the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in Kokrajhar constituency. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the constituency elected Naba Saraniya, a surrendered ULFA leader. He was supported both by immigrant Muslims and indegeneous Assamese identities in the constituency. The cause that helped Saraniya's win was the increasing demand to carving out a separate state for the Bodos including Kokrajhar. This irked the immigrant Muslims and indegeneous Assamese in the constituency. But the BJP ally Bodo People's Progressive Front is trying to woo the non-Bodo voters this time around by playing the demand for separate Bodoland low.

In the Barpeta constituency, which elected Sirazuddin Ajmal, brother of Badaruddin Ajmal, AGP candidate Kumar Dipak Das is attempting to win over the Assamese Muslims along with the Assamese Hindus by evoking chauvinistic sentiments. If the BJP and it s allies succeed in these constituencies than the immigrant Muslim politics in the state would change direction forever.

18:36 (IST)

Eastern States Election Voting Latest Updates

Barring Odisha, eastern states cross 70 percent polling till 6 pm

West Bengal recorded over 78 percent polling till 6 pm, highest among the eastern states of India which voted in phase 3 of the General Election to Lok Sabha. Bengal recorded high turnout despite polling being marred by poll violence in Murshidabad.

Tripura recorded the second highest at 75.26 percent followed by Assam at 74.05 percent. Odisha performed poorly on Tuesday with just 57.86 percent turnout. Simultaneous polls are being held in Odisha for six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 Assembly seats.

18:15 (IST)

West Bengal Election Voting Latest Updates

Congress workers protest outside EC office in Kolkata over death of party worker in Murshidabad

Congress workers laucnehd a protest outside the Election Commission's office in Kolkata over party worker's death in Murshidabad. Congress and TMC workers had earlier clashed in Murshidabad, which is underoing polling in phase 3 of the general elections to Lok Sabha, during which a Congress worker was killed.

Inputy by SS Parveen/101Reporters

18:06 (IST)

Assam Election Voting Latest Updates

Assam registers over 70 percent polling till 5 pm

Till 5 pm, Assam registered an overall polling of 71.47 percent in the four Lok Sabha seats — Dhubri, Kokrajhar (ST), Barpeta and Gauhati — that voted in phase 3 of the General Elections to Lok Sabha. Dhubri recorded the highest percentage of 78.94 percent, followed by Barpeta at 72.47 percent, Kokrajhar (ST) 70.31 percent and Gauhati 65.28 percent.

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Odisha has adjourned voting in two polling booths in the State due to mis-pairing of EVM and VVPAT machines. In a press statement, the Odisha CEO Surendra Kumar said polling in Booth No 196 of Badamba Assembly Constituency and Booth No 183 of Deogarh Assembly Constituency have been suspended due wrong pairing. The CEO will recommend for fresh polling in these two booths.

Input by Bibhuti Mohapatro/101 Reporters

16:52 (IST)

Narendra Modi in West Bengal latest updates

Modi mocks Mamata over PM aspirations

In Asansol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked TMC chief Mamata Banerjee for her prime ministerial aspirations. "By fighting on just a handful of seats, Didi is dreaming of becoming a prime minister. If the post of prime minister could be bought in auctions, then Congress and Didi would've bought the post with the money they've looted from the country. Didi, this prime minister post is not available for auction that you can buy if with the money earned in Saradha, Narada (scams)."

According to ANI, some unidentified men hurled a bomb near polling booth no-27,28 in Murshidabad's Raninagar area. Violent clashes were reported earlier between the Congress and TMC after allegations and counter-allegations of booth capturing, rigging and EVM tampering in various booths across Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituency.

Balurghat LS polls: Polling officer found hanging in house in Buniadpur

A polling officer was found hanging in his house in Buniadpur, South Dinajpur, which is part of the Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency. Babulal Murmu allegedly committed suicide last night. However, his wife alleged that Murmu was under pressure. He was disturbed because of developments that has happened in West Bengal in the last two phases. No complaint has been registered against anyone as yet.

A presiding election officer identified as Prasad Barman was arrested in Gauripur Bani Vidyamandir polling station in Dhubri constituency for letting people vote without proper identification documents.

Input by Syeda Ambia Zahan

15:34 (IST)

Odisha election voting latest updates

Polling officer dies on duty

A polling official at booth number 41 in Kantapal village in Dhenkanal passed away after collapsing while on duty, ANI reported.

15:31 (IST)

Assam election voting latest updates

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh casts vote in Dispur

Manmohan Singh is Congress' Rajya Sabha MP from Assam.

East states Lok Sabha Election 2019 Voting LIVE updates: Voter killed in violent poll clashes between TMC and Congress in Murshidabad

15:19 (IST)

Voter turnout at 3 pm

Assam: 62.13%

Odisha: 41.17%

Tripura: 52.39%

West Bengal: 63.92%

15:05 (IST)

West Bengal election voting latest update

Voter killed in Congress-TMC clash in Murshidabad

A voter named Tiyarul Kalam, 55, was killed and seven others injured in poll clashes between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Baligram area of West Bengal's Murshidabad which is a Lok Sabha constituency undergoing polling in the third phase of 2019 general elections.

Violent clashes were reported earlier between the two parties after allegations and counter-allegations of booth capturing, rigging and EVM tampering in various booths across the seat.

15:01 (IST)

Narendra Modi, Naveen Patnaik campaign in Odisha

Amid polling in Odisha in the third phase of Lok Sabha election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik campaigned in the state.

Modi said that even though BJP workers are being attacked in the state, every BJP worker in Odisha is standing firmly with the people and, the departure of BJD is certain in the eastern state.

Meanwhile, Patnaik did public addresses in Balasore and Bhadrak to appeal to people to re-elect the Biju Janata Dal government in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

14:45 (IST)

West Bengal election voting latest update

TMC leader threatens police in South Dinajpur

TMC leader and former block president of Kumarganj, Mahmuda Begum allegedly threatened people as she came over to see polling at her former block. Goutam Chakravarty, the leader of BJP's South Dinajpur district, alleged that Begum was helping people in capturing the booth and influencing voters. After getting a complaint when police reached the spot, Begum allegedly got into a heated argument with the force..

Input by A Ghose

14:44 (IST)

Odisha election voting latest updates

Low voter turnout in Bhubaneswar

Due to rise in temperature post noon, voter turnout dropped drastically in Odisha's Bhubaneswar. The lack of amenities at polling booths to help voters in beating the heat has also discouraged people to come out and vote.

Input by Sonali Singh

13:43 (IST)

West Bengal election voting latest updates

BJP delegation to meet CEO to complain about poll violence, rigging

A delegation from the BJP will meet Chief Election Officer for West Bengal, Aariz Aftab, at 3.00 pm on Tuesday to voice their concerns over vote rigging and violence reported during the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Another incident of violence was reported from Maldaha Uttar. A BJP member from the block, Sagar Roy, was allegedly beaten up by TMC members when he tried to record the attack on his phone. The attackers were allegedly trying to capture booth no 173 at Chachol.

Input by A Ghose

13:20 (IST)

Odisha election voting latest update

BJD moves EC against Dharmendra Pradhan

A BJD delegation in Bhubaneswar moved to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer to complain about Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The regional party complained that Pradhan violated poll code by campaigning post voting and giving media byte in silence/ban period. It demanded action against Pradhan suggesting that he be banned from campaigning.

A BJP delegation met Special Election Observer Vinod Zutshi to complain that security forces are terrorising ordinary voters across Tripura East constituency. Party said several of its supporters including a woman activist were injured due to unprovoked lathicharge at several places.

Input by Syed Sajjad Ali

12:25 (IST)

West Bengal election voting latest updates

BJP supporters beaten up by TMC workers

In South Dinajpur's Kushmundi BJP supporters and villagers were beaten up for showing support to the party. Several people alleged that TMC workers from the area tried hijacking the booth and threatened villagers to vote for the ruling party. The Situation went out of control when a couple of people got into a scuffle, and central forces rushed had to be rushed to the booth.

Input by A Ghose

11:55 (IST)

Tripura election voting latest updates

EVM malfunction stall polling, voters boycott election

Polling was stalled in five polling centres under East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency due to EVM malfunctions.

Meanwhile, some 25 families of North Durgapur village in Khowai area under East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency are boycotting poll to protest alleged assault on local youth, Sabir Mia, allegedly by members of the central security force.

Congress candidate in East Tripura Lok Sabha constituency, Pragya Debbarman, alleged rigging in several booths. She said she has lodged a complaint with the election commission.

Input by: Syed Sajjad Ali

11:41 (IST)

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Congress block president beaten up in Jangipur

In the Jangipur constituency at Khargram, Indrani village, the Congress block President Abdus Salam was allegedly beaten up brutally by TMC workers at booth number 45 during polling.

There have been allegations that voters are being influenced to vote for particular candidates. TMC has alleged that Congress cadres are trying to influence the votes and not letting voters vote for their choice of candidate in Ratua under the Maldaha constituency.

Input by A Ghose

11:09 (IST)

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Clashes in Malda' Kaliachawk as TMC workers engage in violence with Congress supporters

There have been severe clashes in the block near the India-Bangladesh border. Three voters have been seriously injured including a woman. Injured people have been admitted to the Gopalganj hospital.

There have been reports of police lathicharge in Suti in Jangipur constituency as TMC workers in groups were intimidating voters.

Input by SS Parveen

10:52 (IST)

Assam election voting latest updates

Assam ex-DGP alleges EVM tampering

Ex-DGP of Assam and writer, Harekrishna Deka, has claimed that EVMs may have been tampered with. He said that there was some delay when he went to vote and when he finally did, his vote was recorded for some other party. "There is a serious problem in the system. This is a dangerous thing,' he said. He added that he complained to the polling officer and feels that EC must go back to the ballot system of voting.

Input by Santanu Mahanta

10:33 (IST)

Voter turnout percentage at 10 am

Assam: 12.36%

Odisha: 7.15%

Tripura: 5.83%

West Bengal: 16.85%

10:29 (IST)

West Bengal election voting latest updates

Poll Violence in Murshidabad

Three TMC workers were injured after a crude bomb was hurled at them in Domkal municipality under the Murshidabad district during poll clashes with Congress workers. Tujam Ansari (50), Masadul Islam (35), Malik Mondal (27) have been admitted to the Murshidabad medical College.

West Bengal: Three TMC workers injured after a crude bomb was hurled at them. The incident took place in Domkal municipality in Murshidabad pic.twitter.com/zHlVechLCz

A TMC councillors' husband was injured in clashes in Domkal in the Murshidabad district. The TMC has blamed the Congress and the CPM for the attack. Earlier, during the second phase of polling, West Bengal had witnessed widespread violence.

09:35 (IST)

Odisha election voting latest update

Dharmendra Pradhan casts vote

Senior BJP leader and union minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with his wife cast vote at Deulabedha, Teli Sahi in his home constituency Talcher assembly segment under the Dhenkanal LS constituency.

The three-pronged approach of the troika represented by BJD’s Mahesh Sahu, BJP’s Rudra Narayan Pani and Congress veteran Kamakhya Prasad Singhdeo will make for an engaging contest in the constituency.

The Election Commission (EC) ordered the removal of a presiding officer in Ratua under the Maldaha Uttar seat after unknown persons were seen assisting voters at the polling booth, News18 reported.

09:04 (IST)

Odisha election voting latest updates

BJP candidate from Bhubaneswar casts vote

Former IAS officer and BJP candidate from Bhubaneswar Aparajita Sarangi cast her vote at the Government Primary School, IRC village in Bhubaneswar;

Odisha: Former IAS officer and BJP MP candidate from Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi casts her vote at polling booth in Government Primary School, IRC village, Bhubaneswar; She is up against former IPS officer and BJD candidate Arup Patnaik pic.twitter.com/ANXxRskUYJ

A huge number of tribal voters lined up at the Baigunfa (44-26) polling booth to cast their vote in Tripura.

Image courtesy: Sushanta Das

08:29 (IST)

Tripura election voting latest updates

BJP candidate from Tripura East casts vote

BJP candidate from the East Tripura (ST) seat PC Rebati Mohan Tripura and his wife cast their votes at 44/26- Baigunfa Para SB School. He urged the voters to cast their vote in favour of development and keeping the national security interest in mind.

Input by Sushanta Das

08:18 (IST)

Assam election voting latest updates

EVM malfunctions in Gauhati

News18 reported that an EVM has malfunctioned in Gauhati. Earlier as well, EVM glitches marred the polling at several polling booths in the first two phases. Meanwhile, there were also reports of a 39-year-old woman dying after casting her vote at a polling station in the Mangaldai constituency.

East states Lok Sabha Election 2019 Voting LATEST updates: West Bengal recorded over 79 percent polling till 7 pm, highest among the eastern states of India which voted in phase 3 of the General Election to Lok Sabha. Bengal recorded high turnout despite polling being marred by poll violence in Murshidabad.

Till 7 pm, Tripura and Assam recorded the second highest at 78.52 percent. Odisha performed poorly on Tuesday with just 58.18 percent percent turnout. Simultaneous polls are being held in Odisha for six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 Assembly constituencies.

Congress workers launched a protest outside the Election Commission's office in Kolkata on Tuesday over party worker's death in Murshidabad. Congress and TMC workers had earlier clashed in Murshidabad, which is undergoing polling in phase 3 of the general elections to Lok Sabha, during which a Congress worker was killed.

Till 5 pm, Assam registered an overall polling of 71.47 percent in the four Lok Sabha seats — Dhubri, Kokrajhar (ST), Barpeta and Gauhati — that voted in phase 3 of the General Elections to Lok Sabha. Dhubri recorded the highest percentage of 78.94 percent, followed by Barpeta at 72.47 percent, Kokrajhar (ST) 70.31 percent and Gauhati 65.28 percent.

In Asansol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked TMC chief Mamata Banerjee for her prime ministerial aspirations. "By fighting on just a handful of seats, Didi is dreaming of becoming a prime minister. If the post of prime minister could be bought in auctions, then Congress and Didi would've bought the post with the money they've looted from the country. Didi, this prime minister post is not available for auction that you can buy if with the money earned in Saradha, Narada (scams)," he said.

Till 4 pm, voter turnout was low in Odisha at 46.4 percent in the third phase of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in the state, while polling crossed over 60 percent in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. Bengal registered highest among the four eastern states at 68.2 percent despite violent clashes affecting voting in Murshidabad. Tripura registered 65.92 percent turnout whereas it was 62.13 percent in Assam.

A polling officer was found hanging in his house in Buniadpur, South Dinajpur, which is part of the Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency. Babulal Murmu allegedly committed suicide last night. However, his wife alleged that Murmu was under pressure. He was disturbed because of developments that has happened in West Bengal in the last two phases. No complaint has been registered against anyone as yet.

A voter named Tiyarul Kalam, 55, was killed and seven others injured in poll clashes between the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Baligram area of West Bengal's Murshidabad which is a Lok Sabha constituency undergoing polling in the third phase of 2019 general elections.

TMC leader and former block president of Kumarganj, Mahmuda Begum allegedly threatened people and got inot a brawl with police after BJP's Goutam Chakravarty, the leader of party's South Dinajpur district, alleged that Begum was helping people in capturing the booth and influencing voters. After getting a complaint when police reached the spot, Begum got into a heated argument with the force.

A delegation from the BJP will meet Chief Election Officer for West Bengal, Aariz Aftab, at 3.00 pm on Tuesday to voice their concerns over vote rigging and violence reported during the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

Odisha has recorded 25.26 percent voting by 1 pm. However, Bhubaneswar saw a dismal polling percentage of 8.68 percent. Some people denoted the low voter turnout to EVM glitches.

In West Bengal's South Dinajpur BJP supporters and villagers were beaten up for showing support to the party. Several people alleged that TMC workers from the area tried hijacking the booth and threatened villagers to vote for the ruling party. The situation went out of control when a couple of people got into a scuffle, and central forces rushed had to be rushed to the booth.

Whereas in Maldaha constituency, there have been severe clashes in the block near the India-Bangladesh border. Three voters have been seriously injured including a woman. There have also been allegations that voters are being influenced to vote for particular candidates. TMC has alleged that Congress cadres are trying to influence the votes and not letting voters vote for their choice of candidate in Ratua under the Maldaha constituency.

A TMC councillors' husband was injured in clashes in Domkal in the Murshidabad district. The TMC has blamed the Congress and the CPM for the attack. Earlier, during the second phase of polling, West Bengal had witnessed widespread violence.

Meanwhile, outside a polling booth in Hariharpara in Murshidabad district, gunshots were heard after poll violence, with no security personnel present at the spot. Congress has accused TMC of violence.

The Election Commission (EC) ordered the removal of a presiding officer in Ratua under the Maldaha Uttar seat after unknown persons were seen assisting voters at the polling booth, News18 reported.

Early voting was seen in West Bengal's Murshidabad constituency. The important candidates in the seat are sitting MP, Badaruddoza Khan of CPM, BJP’s Humayun Kabir, Abu Hena from Congress and TMC’s Janab Abu Taher Khan. Voters also lined-up in Assam's Gauhati and Tripura East to vote early-on.

Meanwhile, an EVM malfunctioned in Baghbar under the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency in Assam.

In the eastern part of India, voting in the third phase on Tuesday will be held in Assam, Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura.

The election to Tripura East constituency was deferred from 18 April to 23 April after the Election Commission received inputs that the "law and order prevailing in the constituency is not conducive to the holding of a free and fair poll."

In six seats in Odisha, the main contest in between the state's ruling BJD and the BJP. The BJD had won all the six seats in 2014. The third phase of polls will decide the fate of 61 hopefuls in Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Puri and Bhubaneswar.

In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress, BJP and Congress are the main contenders in the five seats: Balurghat, Maldaha North, Maldaha South, Jangipur and Murshidabad. Four seats will see four-cornered contests between the three parties and the Left Front. It will be a three-cornered contest in Maldaha South as no Left party is in the fray in the seat.

In Assam, four constituencies — Dhubri, Kokrajhar (ST), Barpeta and Gauhati — will go to polls on Tuesday. Prominent candidates in the fray are two sitting MPs AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal in Dhubri and Independent Naba Sarania in Kokrajhar, state social welfare minister Pramila Rani Brahma of BPF from Kokrajhar and Congress MLA Abdul Khaleque.

Gauhati has 17 candidates in the fray, including five women, with the contest likely to be direct between two women candidates — BJP's Queen Oja and Congress's Bobbeeta Sharma. In Dhubri, there are 15 candidates with the fight likely to be triangular between sitting AIUDF MP Badruddin Ajmal, AGP's Zabed Islam and Congress candidate Abu Taher Bepari.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha election started on 11 April. The first phase witnessed 69.45 percent voter turnout across the country, while the election for the second phase was held on 18 April and witnessed 69.43 percent voter turnout.

The result for the Lok Sabha election will be announced on 23 May.

Your guide to the latest seat tally, live updates, analysis and list of winners for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 on firstpost.com/elections. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram or like our Instagram or like our Facebook page for updates from all 542 constituencies on counting day of the general elections.